Sitting at her work desk, busily scrawling pen over the endless requisition forms, Tess's mind wandered as she routinely filled in the blank spaces. Her mind was scheming with thoughts about Michael’s birthday coming up. Michael was Tess's co-worker and friend; he had a shy nature and loved football, sports, and humor. Or at least playing the latest office joke, usually in her direction.
Jackie another co-worker, worked in an adjacent office, and at lunch time Tess spoke to her about her planned birthday surprise for Michael. Tess asked Jackie to help by gathering together some resources that were sure to make an impact. The last item required would take a little more effort and manipulation, but with her charm Tess was sure that too would be achievable. She would have to make her plan work, or come up with an alternative. That seemed lame compared with what she had in mind.
As Tess visualized her surprise, she couldn’t help but think of Mike’s reaction. Would he be happy she’d remembered his birthday, or would he frown and get annoyed at such recognition.
The day arrived and almost everything was prepared. Tess just had to wait until lunch time to get the cogs in motion.
“Happy Birthday Mike” Tess said when she got to the office.
“Hi Tess” he said with his usual happy disposition.
“Hmmm, she wonder if he will still be cheerful at the end of the day”? and smiled to herself with secret knowing. Going about her usual tasks and occasionally sneaking into the next office, Tess was pleased with how her surprise was shaping up.
“Meet me in the car park at lunch time Jackie, and we can get started,” with some joy and excitement to her voice. Returning to her office Tess asked Mike if she could borrow his car to go to the shops to buy lunch.
“Thanks” she said as he threw the keys from a short distance.
“Do you want anything?” hoping he would say he didn’t.
“No, got my lunch today,” he had said without looking up. Had he said yes, that would have been awkward and delayed her somewhat.
“Okay, well won’t be long.” Turning towards the door.
Tess had no idea if Mike knew, or not, that she didn't have a license. He didn’t seem to be bothered, so may just have assumed she did. Tess could drive a car, had done so many times, however just never got around to sitting the test. Tess was sure Mike knew that.
With Mike's keys in hand and her bag full of goodies from home, Tess opened the car and got in. She started the car and moved it to a prominent spot, then cut the engine and set about with Jackie’s help, to decorate his beloved white Torana.
With lipstick Tess had written words of endearment on the tinted windows, and on the chrome work. Happy Birthday and Congratulations were displayed by banners across the windshield and rear window. Held in place by the doors. Tess wrapped ribbon and streamers around the vehicle but was mindful not to damage the car in any way. When Jackie and Tess were satisfied with the outside of the vehicle it was time to get busy on the interior.
Perfume was sprayed, and Jackie handed Tess the container with confetti which was emptied out by sprinkling the contents all around the cabin of the vehicle. They both lit some incense sticks and placed them out from the dash board... Making sure that they would not burn anything as they burnt themselves out. They hung more streamers from the rear-view mirror, and taped wrapped lollies around the steering wheel and gear stick. I placed a small posy of native flowers on the seat. The bow and card read Happy Birthday. No need to add a name as he would know who they were from.
Spraying the perfume again, it was now almost complete.They just had to add the balloons. Blowing them up and tying off the ends took some time but as they closed the door Jackie and Tess felt satisfied of a job well done. They had left a colorful array of mess and mayhem. He was sure to get a surprise.
Tess walked back into the office and placed the keys down in front of Mike, said thanks and turned around and sat down at her desk as if nothing was unusual, and patiently waited. Mike seemed really busy and Tess was grateful. Jackie and Tess were hoping he didn't have need to go outside to his car for anything. Tess hoped he would be too occupied and not venture too far away from the office, or have anyone mention his car. Tess kept a watchful eye on him, and secretly watched from her desk. They had planned on leaving the offices earlier than Mike, so they could watch him as he ventured towards his vehicle at the end of his working day.
They were anxious about him catching them, and was sure he would be angry when he found his car in such a state, and while they thought it somewhat funny, they would rather his shock happened when I wasn’t around. They would accept the consequences later for sure, but they put all thought of that aside.
“Well have a good evening.” Tess said grabbing her bag. “See you tomorrow.”
“You too, Mike said as he continued working. Mike always worked half an hour later than Tess, or Jackie, so it was with trepidation that Jackie and Tess waited behind the corner of an office building, hidden from view, they waited for what seemed like an eternity, to see the look on his face when confronted with the state of his Torana.
"Here he comes..." He’s looking down. Wait for it... He’s seen it. Mike stopped dead on the spot. He is shaking his head in dis-belief. Mike walked timidly to the driver side door and opened it. We watched as a couple of balloons fell out and blew away.
Jackie and Tess walked slowly behind the office block, and crept around to the rear of the factory, as Mike was left to wonder what the hell!
The next day walking into the office block, Tess noticed Mike’s car was clean and polished; you would not have known it had been violated. It was an anxious moment as Tess walked into the office she and Mike shared. Tess really didn’t need to stress, for Mike was his usual self. He even greeted her with the customary, friendly hello. Tess and Jackie was on guard most of the day not believing he would let this slide without some payback, but by the end of the day nothing was said about his car hijack, or done in retaliation.
Six weeks later it was Tess's birthday. It was the usual run of the mill day in the office. Mike handed me a card and a present and she thought it a sweet gesture, remembering what she and Jackie did for his. He really hadn’t changed his attitude or friendship towards her, and the card and gift cemented that. She went to lunch without a care in the world, happy that her day was going so well, and no customer problems, no delays in product processing. All was good and she was going to enjoy her lunch break.
When Tess returned to her desk after lunch however, she was confronted with the unbelievable. To her shock horror, her desk was upside down, files where scattered about the office, and outer offices, her bag was missing, and a note was pinned to the empty shelf saying... ‘Revenge is sweet, Happy Birthday! Now it was Tess's turn to stop and stare. It took her hours to get the workstation back to some normality, and a few weeks to find all the misplaced files. It took hours of pleading to get her bag back so she could go home. Mike eventually gave Tess her bag, but not before she was reduced to tears, and showing genuine distress. He even offered to drive her home, which she accepted.
Tess thought he would let this slide. She must have been nuts to think that. She was wrong.
Clearly her boss Richard was in on this too. How wonderful was she to have such a wonderful working relationship with these individuals she thought.
(C) TMC 2008